Chapter 157
Old Master Wu breathed a sigh of relief.
This little boy was just like his father, with a mouth that wasn't very good at speaking properly.
He could still glare furiously and get angry with Fang Zichen, but facing a child with those bewildered, innocent eyes and a silly, cute expression, he couldn't summon any anger at all. It was truly frustrating.
"Fang boy, what are your plans for the future?"
"Plans?" Fang Zichen thought about it. Although he didn't know why the old man was suddenly asking this, he answered honestly, "I don't really have any plans!"
Old Master Wu looked at him: "Boy, you need to have a plan for your life."
Fang Zichen retorted: "But plans can't keep up with changes!"
Old Master Wu felt a vein throb on his forehead. He tilted his head back and gulped down a large mouthful of water, which helped his anger subside a little. "Have you ever thought about entering an academy to study? You can study for the Tongsheng exam on your own, but for the academy exam, relying solely on yourself might be somewhat difficult."
"I've thought about it," Fang Zichen said.
"Which academy do you want to go to?" Old Master Wu asked. "Anhe Academy?"
"Anhe Academy?" Fang Zichen snorted, his face full of disdain, as if he'd eaten something disgusting. "Why would I go there? That old man Ji inside is wicked and mean, his moral character is lacking, and he's only a Xiucai. His knowledge probably isn't even as good as mine. What could he teach me? Should I go in and just stare at him wide-eyed?"
Anhe Academy had more than one teacher. However, after that old fool, Master Ji, had the nerve to expect Yang Mutao to pressure Fang Zichen into apologizing to Hao Desheng, and after Yang Mutao refused on his behalf, the situation worsened. Knowing Fang Zichen intended to take the imperial exams, Master Ji spread the word: anyone who dared to act as Fang Zichen's guarantor would be making an enemy of him, Master Ji.
Fang Zichen utterly despised that old man. He held a grudge, and even held a grudge against Anhe Academy itself.
Fang Zichen dismissed the idea immediately. The thought of attending Anhe Academy was out of the question.
Furthermore, Fang Zichen did not consider the academy exam to be overly difficult. He had reviewed past examination papers from Yuanzhou, and their level of complexity had not seemed particularly high. If the upcoming academy exam after the New Year maintained a similar standard, his current knowledge, while perhaps insufficient for the more advanced provincial examination, should be adequate. He felt confident that by reading more books and deepening his knowledge, achieving a passing grade on the academy examination was a realistic and attainable goal.
Fang Zichen held a low opinion of Master Ji. Furthermore, Anhe Academy was widely considered one of the lowest-ranked academies. Therefore, it was perfectly understandable that Fang Zichen looked down upon it.
Old Master Wu sat up a little straighter and asked again, "Then what do you think of Qinghe Academy?" As soon as he asked, he realized his mistake. Since arriving in Da Xia, Fang Zichen had remained in Fu'an Town, seldom traveling. His only trip to Yuanzhou had been solely to take an exam, so it was unlikely he had much knowledge of other academies. Worried he might not know, Old Master Wu added, "Have you even heard of it?"
Unexpectedly, Fang Zichen nodded: "Qinghe Academy, I've heard of it!"
The number one academy in the prefecture capital!
He wasn't that ignorant.
Old Master Wu rubbed the rim of his bowl: "Then what do you think of it?" He pretended to be casual. "Qinghe Academy has a high threshold, not just anyone can get in. If you want to go, I can find a way for you."
"I don't know! I've never been inside." Fang Zichen waved his hand. "But my impression is that it's just so-so, average. I don't want to go right now. I'll consider it after I pass the Xiucai exam."
Old Master Wu suddenly looked up at him, his face astonished. "You think Qinghe Academy is just average?"
Among the students, everyone speaks of my academy with a look of deep longing or shared pride. What's with your completely indifferent expression mean?
And 'consider it'?
What do you think Qinghe Academy is?
Your own home? You can just enter whenever you want?
Old Master Wu was furious.
Fang Zichen nodded, honest as ever: "Yes!"
Old Master Wu became agitated: "Do you know where the teachers at Qinghe Academy come from? They are all Jinshi graduates. During the provincial exams, they all achieved the rank of Jieyuan! They have years of teaching experience. With all that, you still think it's just average?"
[Jinshi (进士): the candidate who passed the highest level of imperial examinations (palace examination), earning a prestigious degree that qualified them for high-ranking government office]
[Jieyuan (解元): the scholar who achieved the highest score in the provincial-level examination]
Fang Zichen: "......"
What's the big deal!
I thought the teachers there were all Zhuangyuans!
[Zhuangyuan (状元): the scholar who achieved the highest score in the Palace Examination]
Jinshi is ranked below Tanhua. These are scholars who either failed to get an official position or chose not to pursue an official career, which is why they became teachers. What is so impressive about that?
[Tanhua (探花): the scholar who achieved the third-highest score in the Palace Examination]
But he felt that if he nodded again, if he said 'yes' again, this old man might just pass out from anger. He had no choice but to shut his mouth awkwardly.
But even though he didn't speak, his expression was one of clear disapproval.
Old Master Wu grew even angrier: "Every year in the prefectural, academy, and provincial exams, it's Qinghe Academy that takes the top honors. This shows their teaching methods are quite effective. If you were to go and study there quietly for a year or so, you should be able to pass the academy exam."
Old Master Wu continued to speak at length, listing one advantage after another.
Fang Zichen listened with one ear and let the words go out the other. He was not impressed.
He believed anyone could make grand promises about the future. He was capable of securing his own success; he did not need someone else making lofty but empty promises to him.
Old Master Wu's mouth was parched: "So, what do you think?"
"Not that great!" Fang Zichen ultimately couldn't hold back. "If it's really as amazing as you say, how did I still get first place in this prefectural exam?"
Fang Zichen knew he was a Juren, from Yuanzhou, and Yang Mingyi's grandfather. Beyond that, he knew nothing. He said, "I think that Qinghe Academy really is just average. The rumors outside are so exaggerated, I seriously suspect it's all just hype spread by the people from Qinghe Academy themselves. Anyone can boast about themselves! And you, you shouldn't just believe everything people say. Some things often have a great reputation that spreads far and wide, but they are often all show and no substance, nothing more than that."
Old Master Wu: "......"
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